A collaborative piece between myself and i drew the picture and she wrote the description.

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How many of us (myself included) grew up with – and loved -- The Lion King? The beautiful African rhythms. The awesome scenery. THE WONDERFUL ARRAY OF CHARACTERS – HEROES, VILLAINS AND SIDEKICKS (BOTH GOOD AND BAD)!! Whether we were four or 40 (during 1994, when the first movie was released); we’ve all come to know the story. And, God knows; many of us have been inspired enough by its majesty; to create EPIC works of art!!

Then, we were gifted a return trip to Disney’s Africa; with the release of The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride. Sure, the movie still isn’t considered ‘canon’ by many loyal fans. And yes; the animation (the colour-scheme seemed rather faded/diluted, to me – also, many characters seemed to be out of sync, compared to their original selves); but it was still passable, as a Disney sequel. As controversial as it was, Simba’s Pride was still heaps better, than the rather eccentric (and to some, childish) The Lion King 1 1/2 [or 3, depending on where you live] could ever hope to be!

The issue is not with Timon’s family (his mother and Uncle Max – also, the family’s meerkat colony). That really wouldn’t have bugged too many people! For one thing; it allowed viewers to see how the little meerkat came to accept the ‘Hakuna Matata’ philosophy that we were introduced to, during the first movie. (He was lonely – even in the company of others. And, being all alone, in the world, he needed something to believe in! So he adopted the carefree, ‘who gives a hoot’ philosophy – with mixed results!)

The problem doesn’t even really lie in how he met his warthog companion, Pumbaa! (God knows, both Timon and Pumbaa were outcasts – love them or hate them!) For better or for worse, they were added – much like the hyena trio – for some much-needed ‘comedy relief’! This is OK, by many die-hard fans, today.

No. The issues lie with the ridiculous story-line – supposedly told from Timon and Pumbaa’s rather off-the-wall point of view. For many loyal LK fans, it just didn’t make any sense!

For one thing; Timon meets a laughing Rafiki, while on his travels – who tells him about ‘Hakuna Matata’ (a philosophy the wizened mandrill-shaman wouldn’t even think of adopting – as it preaches a life of ease and carelessness. And Rafiki would never condone such things!)

Then too, the guys seem to have followed a young, pre-exiled Simba through his presentation (during which Mufasa’s subjects were brought to their knees by an attack of flatulence, courtesy of Pumbaa – and not by their respect for the royal family); then high-tailed it, when Simba – then a power-hungry Scar -- sang about what it would be like, to be king!

Moreover, as Simba kept Mum about how he came to be exiled; how would his jungle-companions know that he had been involved in that awful wildebeest stampede that killed his father – then sent him into a self-imposed exile, courtesy of his scheming uncle? Impossible!But the things that really bug many loyal fans are:

That disgusting snail-slurping contest, between Timon and an adolescent Simba. What was that all about? It was definitely inspired by Fear Factor and some of the Survivor series, that’s for sure! (It was the grossest gross-out I’d seen in a LONG time!! Also, Mufasa had the ‘honour’ of having a ringside seat [albeit, in the heavens], while his son and some guy the old king wouldn’t hesitate to believe was ‘beneath himself and his heir’, made absolute fools of themselves – while also making one of them terribly sick?! To quote a young Simba, from the first movie (while first being introduced to eating bugs), “Eww! Gross!” We feel his pain!!

Then came the ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ scene – during which all three jungle-buddies seem to be swinging and jumping around all over the place – much like kids on a trampoline! (Take us all back to the diving-into-a-pool scene, during which Simba messed up his mane; before the three pals boogied off into more jungle, to the beat of ‘Hakuna Matata’! At least they didn’t look stoned, in that scene!!)

Oh, but now we’re revisiting the famous ‘Simba Confronts Scar’ scene. Very little is seen of this ‘fight to the death’, between lions, of course! Instead, we’re confronted with a performing Timon and Pumbaa – yes, they’re dancing up a storm, during the epic battle! But when dancing doesn’t seem to distract the hyenas enough, a desperate Timon actually gets down on one knee, to make a marriage proposal to Shenzi -- who ultimately refuses! Like, what? Where did that come from?? (Let’s not go there. The idea of it all, is enough to make one very ill!)

In short: The Lion King 1 &frac12; (or 3) is a bizarre little ‘feature’, with very little in common with the first (and/or even the second) Lion King movie/s franchise.

I liked the whole TLK trilogy. I still love them all equally. The original will never be topped and the sequels are the best any animated company has given us, and by Disney standards, that's something.The third one was comedic, but I accepted for what it was: a comedy. It just made fun of itself, just like the Timon and Pumbaa cartoon(which is awesome, don't you dare say otherwise).

meh, to be honest, I like 1 1/2 better than 2 (the original tops them all but that's not my point)

At least 1 1/2 knew what it was; mindless entertainment that has no real purpose to exist unless you'd wonder about Timon and Pumbaa's origin, And I sort of did to an extent. It didn't need to bullshit itself as well as it's audience.

The commentary sequences never bothered me, since the humor there was really no different than what you'd find from their old Timon & Pumbaa tv show, Heck, that's what it basically felt like. And don't get me wrong, there was stuff I didn't like about it either, namely the continuity mess ups and the flatulence pride rock scene. I can *almost* forgive that, because there were some moments that made me laugh. Take it for what it is

As for TLK 2: I think what bugged me about Simba's Pride was the way the main villains were handled.They could've literally been a completely new pride and you'd still have the same story. And it's not like they actually take time to explain their origins. Or if they want them to have something to do with Scar, they should've gone full backstory. "I banished you from the pride lands....look, just go along with it okay?" Banished for what? Show, don't tell.

I guess vagueness can encourage fans as a community to exchange theories, but, I don't know :/

I mean, imagine if Hunchback of Notre Dame 2's main villain was Frollo's crazy cat lady widow who's all like "hey guys, I have a connection with Frollo...and like,I've always been around for some reason and I shall avenge him...plus he never gave me those 25 francs that bastard ¬.¬, soooo, yeah" wouldn't you be like "when the hell did this happen?"

and the love chemistry: I didn't feel invested, namely because Kovu's not that interesting. He almost was though, when he was trained to be killer, but then that pretty much vanishes when he saves Kiara. Child indoctrination (the level Zira put him in) doesn't just poof away like that. So his transition from threat to boring doofus wasn't believable.

What you said about TLK 2...THANK YOU. I couldn't agree more with just about everything that you said about it! I'm so sick of people worshipping this movie and gushing over Kovu as a character when he is so boring! I think it's mainly his design that has people going gaga over him, but you're right; he's not interesting at all! And he had great potential to be (THAT is what really annoys me about him!) And i find Kiara to be just as obnoxiously boring as he is, which is why i can't find myself giving a crap about their relationship at all.

I pretty much throw both movies into the same generic catergory, TLK3 has some enjoyable moments, and TLK2 has great nostalgic value to me (and good songs), but they don't even come close to the original, and both somewhat insult it in some way. So, i have a bone to pick with both of them. The descripton you read was not written by me, while i do agree with most of it; it's mostly her opinion; not mine.

You put it great why The Lion King 1 1/2 sucked!I have always been a fan of the first Lion King, and that film took everything what made the first great and trashed them! Also, WHERE would there be a cinema in the African plains?!

Let me put it this way. I'm sure you're aware that Lion King's story is based off of Hamlet yes? Much like the Sequel is based off of Romeo and Juliet. Get the Shakespeare vibe??

There's and absurdest play known as Rosencratz and Guildenstern are dead, which basically centers around the two lesser known characters of Hamlet, who are his old student pals. It's basically Hamlet through the perspective of Rosencratz and Guildenstern.

The Lion King 1 1/2 is basically Rosencratz and Guildenstern are dead, nothing is changed in the original Lion King, it's just the movie from Timon and Pumba's perspective.

Regardless I say take it for good fun and comedy, much like the Timon and Pumba television series. I enjoyed the film personally. I thought it fit well especially with the Shakespearean insight.

I always just thought of Lion King 1 1/2 to be a parody ... never a part of the actual story canon. I'm not a fan of Disney sequels in general, but LK2 was not too bad I guess. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about the artstyle/animation of Disney sequels bothers me. I think it's the way they move ... but, again, can't put my finger on what it is exactly that bothers me.

i know what you mean. And it probably is the animation that bothers you about Disney sequels. All Disney sequels are made by the 'Disney Toons Studio' the same people who animate Disney cartoon TV series'. Which is why the animation quality is A LOT poorer than the originals'

I actually loved this one as a kid. XD I think it was all the lil' Meerkats!Looking back on it, I'm really bothered by the fact that (after the royal presentation/fart attack on the guests) Pumbaa and Timon find a nice place by Pride Rock the same day as Simba's birth/presentation/whatever - and then suddenly the next day he's old enough and big enough to be singing "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" on their house. :I

You nailed it! I think both Simba's Pride and 1 1/2 are poor excuses for sequels to such a classic movie, but 1 1/2 is just a joke. It just makes me cringe. Also, did you notice that during the "marriage proposal" scene -- that's the exact time frame when, in the original movie, the main trio were listening in on Simba and Scar. It's when they hear Scar put the blame on them, and gives them their reason to turn on him. I guess if they were busy being distracted with Timon's nonsense they never heard that...whooops!

Ok while I dont hate the film itself,I just hate certain parts of it .Its by far the worst in the series and remember Lion King 2 made Simba a jerk face helicopter parent, gave us Timon and Pumbaa jokes that went no where , an unrealistic ending, one of the biggest Big Lipped Alligator Moments I have ever seen called the Upendi song, and one of the dumbest female protagonist ever, yet Simbas Pride is much better.I liked 1 1/2 when I was younger , but now that Im in my teens I see that it has magor flaws.One is the continuity is awful(Especialy when the Be Prepared scene came up.THAT WASENT THE PART WHEN THEY WERE GOOSE STEPPING IN THE ORIGINAL ! But I have my own theory that Timon and Pumbaa didnt actually stumble in during the rehersal and I get this funny image of Scar yelling at the hyena like the director from the end of Blazing Saddles for not getting the choreography right.Just a thought). Then of course the Snail Eating contest nothing says family film like the heroes devouring poor defenseless creatures! Yeah we dont see them eat a zebra or any thing but a scene where you slurp thousands of snails is family entertainment ! The one question that I have about the scene is why is the theme from The Good The Bad And The Ugly playing!? WTF ? Of course the big one for me is the scene when Timon proposes to Shenzie.If they ended the joke on Shenzie going "I dont think so!" It would of worked...But It went on and on and by the end my head is filled with horrifying images which will never leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!then of cpourse Scars death , and why arent we hearing him get ripped to shreds ? I know its a kids film ,but they totally ignored the fact he was eaten by his minions...Thats a big plot hole.Alot of my other problems with it you pointed out.

Great points!Although, there is one thing that gets to me in the end that I'm surprised no one talks about. It's not the bad continuity of Timon and Pumbaa still living in the jungle, but it's the fact that Simba is there too; relaxed and floating on the pool like he's on holiday! Uh... Simba, weren't you crowned king yesterday?Haven't you got a kingdom to run, you're friggin' highness?!Mufasa would be truly ashamed to call Simba his son.

Yeah thats a good point .I mean he has A LOT TO DO. I mean Scar spent most of his reign lazing around ,so I dont think the Lioness's would be happy if their new king spent his first day on the job DOING THE EXACT SAME THING .I mean he has a lot to do .Not to mention in Simbas Pride it was revealed that Scar had people who were loyal to him (AS well as a mate and cubs) .So it probably didn't help his image after he left small children fatherless that his next decision was to go swiming.

But for me the biggest thing about the ending that bugged me is they preety much destroy the natural order of things. I dunno it seems like moving the ENTIRE POPULATION OF MEERKATS is going to mess up the food chain and going end very badly

Well its a good point .I mean after dodging his responsibilities to live a life of pleasure for years , thus leaving the land in the paws of a corrupt mad man (Or mad cat ) who let the lions natural enemy (The Hyenas ) laze around , overpopulate , and waste all their natural resources (Which effectivly killed mother nature ), I dont think the lioness's would be happy if he took a day off , because he still has a lot to do

It does ! I get its supposed to be a happy ending , but I feel that defeating the Hyenas was already their victory .I just have a feeling that ALL the meerkat's living a life just for pleasure will end horrribly

True. Disney really screwed up, when moving forward (or is it BACKWARD), with The Lion King’s sequel and midquel! Yeah, Simba was creepy and over-protective, on SP – no joke! It was weird, how they turned a basically fun guy; into a male lion version of Mother Gothel! Kiara was a sickeningly sweet bimbo. And as for Upendi, let’s not go there!! (That song is freaky! I mean, what were the Disney team on? Crack?)

Oh yeah; the continuity bombs, on 1 1/2! Especially as, like you said, Scar’s troops were still waving their butts around; when the lion began telling them of his plan. THEY DIDN’T START MARCHING TILL SCAR WAS ON TOP OF THAT PRECIPICE! And then, where was the quadrangle they marched upon; while Scar watched on from above? It just doesn’t make sense!

As for the snail-slurping gross-out, it seems we agree on its level of gross-ness! (In fact, the closest thing I can find (to show how much like Fear Factor and Survivor it is, is Reality Show TLK) Eating snails, indeed! But, like you, I’m totally lost on the Spaghetti Western theme! What a waste of a Clint Eastwood movie theme…

LOL I am LOVING the idea of Scar barking orders! Scar was typically a vain perfectionist; so I could definitely see that working!! (You’ve got to love a villain who fusses over EVERYTHING!! ) Oh, maybe they thought by burying the villain and his sidekicks together, they wouldn’t have to bring themselves to hear Scar’s death rattle, as the hyenas began to rip him apart!

And, finally, Timon’s proposal to Shenzi: , where were Disney, when they brainstormed over that scene? They dragged that out, to the point of it being elastic! Boy, it ricocheted badly!

In short, the movie sucked jawbreakers/golf balls! Which is a real shame! Because the original story had so much potential!!

Actually, Mother Gothel existed long before Disney made Tangled. The tale of Rapunzel goes back quite a way (at least back to medieval times). And in all versions of the Rapunzel story, Gothel always held the girl in the tower, with only the heroine's long tresses for access in and out of said tower. So Gothel was well-known, long before Disney brainstormed over The Lion King.

I don't expect perfection - just a good story, or two. I'm sure you feel the same way.

I thought she wasn't named in the original story - or just called a Witch or Mother. My bad for that mistake.I already knew Rapunzel didn't start with Disney... in fact, since most kids were raised on fairy tales (maybe not anymore), I'd be surprised if someone didn't know the story.

The Lion King was based off (at least partially) of Hamlet by Shakespeare, so it has a pretty lengthy origin too (thought not quite as long). The sequel was based off of Romeo and Juliet, at least partially - which I think helps explain why Simba was overprotective (also, maybe he didn't want Kiara to have to live a life like he did, therefore forbidding her from seeing ones he believed to have helped ruin his life). He just wanted his daughter to be safe.

According to Wikipedia - Rapunzel, the villainess has been called 'Gothel' for quite some time. Her role in the story varies: In some stories, she is a grotesque witch (her appearance owing to the fact that she is evil); while in others, she is merely a herbalist/medicine woman, who, upon discovering a thief in her garden (Rapunzel's father, of course), strikes a bargain with him -- in exchange for the much-desired herbs (and therefore his wife's and unborn baby's good health) -- the couple must offer her their child, upon its birth!

In Tangled, the story is only slightly tweaked: Gothel is just a woman in need of a 'fountain of youth'; so craves a magical flowering plant -- which eventually leads her to kidnap a young princess from her cradle! Also, Gothel's later obsession with keeping Rapunzel locked up in the tower, is explored; while reading Tangled - An in-depth analysis of Mother Gothel, through the eyes of a four year old! And you're right: These tales really ARE 'as old as time'!

You're also right about The Lion King's first two movies: 1 = Hamlet; 2 = Romeo and Juliet. But you might be interested to learn that Simba's story also borrows elements from the historical figures (and prophets of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths), Joseph and Moses. Both historical figures' stories lend credence to the "favourite son, who was later cruelly driven away from home -- only to assume power, as an adult (Joseph); but was also seeming unrecognisable, upon his return (as in Moses' case)." The rest is pure Shakespeare.

I feel the same way about Simba.He was basically a hippy the first movie and in the second he becomes an overprotective moron.Kiara I hate cause she is a complete idiot (How can she not tell that a lion is not the same size as a frog!) and with the Upendi song I dont think it was crack .Probbably Shrooms or LSD.

Thats exactly what annoys me about that scene.Get the right music cue!

The Good the Bad and the Ugly is in my opinion the best western ever made so I find it so confusing they listened to that classic soundtrack and said "You know what this music can go with? SNAIL SLURPING!!! "

Exactly! Scar would want everything perfect even his villain song!(Which of course it is).Scar:"NO! YOU DONT COME IN TILL I TURN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE ROCKS WHEN IM ON TOP OF THE PODIUM !!!!!!!AND YOU CALL THAT GOOSE STEPPING!!!!!!!!"Actually Scar dosent gert burried he falls off the cliff just like the original film.So its more lazy writing.

That bit just sikens me but I think it would have been sick but funnier if they actuall went all the wasy with it! Actually have Shenzie except the proposal,get matrried , and have some of the uggliest children ever born!!!!!(Sort of like the end from Little Nickie !) If they wanted to disgust us they should have went all the way!!!!!

My thoughts exactly! The characters, along with their personalities, spiralled; as the story progressed! It was just disgusting to watch – seriously!! And yeah; it was definitely LSD or ‘shrooms – that is for certain!! (How else do you explain the heart-shaped clouds/hot air balloons, the hyper Tiki surroundings and Rafiki force-feeding Kovu and Kiara those melons/fruit? (I mean, couldn’t he have cracked them open with his stick, before offering them to the lions? )

True! Clint Eastwood’s movies are EPIC! Why screw this living legend’s work; with a dumb snail-slurping contest? (A truly sucky way to pay homage to such brilliance!! )

{Timon dives for the last tunnel support; it crumbles on impact. The hyenas leap for their victims; Pumbaa, Ma, and Uncle Max gasp and steel themselves as lightning flashes. As Shenzi lands right in front of them, however, the ground gives way, followed by the whole ledge area collapsing into a huge crater, swallowing all the hyenas whole. The hyenas slide through a huge subterranean tunnel complex, screaming, until they disappear into the darkness. Camera switch to the peak of Pride Rock, where Simba is just hurling Scar over the edge; Scar crashes down the cliff face, passing Pumbaa, Ma, and Uncle Max as they watch.}

And I’m so with you; when it comes to Timon’s and Shenzi’s ‘marriage’: Those mutant myenas (if Shenzi were a male and Timon a female, the mutant children would be heerkats!) would make classic viewing!!

Yeah; I’m the same, now that I think about it: If you want gross-outs; make them funny! And if not, don’t bother!! (It’s just too annoying, either way!! )

My question is what is in that Passion fruit? and did He do this with the other couples 2.Ahadi and Uru?Mufasa and Sarbi? Good lord I dont want to know what happened if he used it on Scar and Zira!!!(Probbably either they were freaking out or the images they saw would be ,to qoute the Nostalgia Critics review of Secret Of NIMH 2 "If Candy Land was designed by Charles Manson!")

an example of a good homage is Jimmy Neutron cause it makes since and it lesads to a funny moment when Sheen is singing along with it and all the other characters look at him.THATYS YOU DO A PARODY CORRECTLY!!!!!

Disney needs to wath their own movies

Well Scar has a wonderful singing voice so he must be proud of it.And yes he would make a brillaint Director! Hed win all the Oscars !!! Hed be much better then half the schmucks who make films now a days .Cause he has dedication,heart, and if you screw up he will eat you for dinner !!!!

Myenas Would be adorable sins against nature!!!!!Me Im not for Gross out so much (Unless its done right)but I do love strange jokes and those you have to know when to stop them or take them all the way !!! Same goes for dark humor!And yes Little Niky is the one Adam Sandler movie I think is hilarious(A close second is Billy Madison )

What was in that passionfruit? I'll tell you: A drop of desire. A pinch of passion. And just a hint of lust!

Oh Lord, I hope NOT!! (Although, judging by what is seen on TLK, the original movie; Simba and Nala didn't need any passionfruit! They already had enough of those ingredients bottled up in them, during CYFTLT!! And man, did it flow; in the jungle!! )

Good parodies, for the word!!

Yeah, they should! Sadly, they don't!!

Hasn't he? He's AWESOME!! I love Scar's EPICNESS!!

True. I'm totally with you, there! You have to time it just right! Otherwise, FAIL!!

Yup, they were. Oh, and no, it wasn't 'love', per se. At least, not at first! Simba and Nala were just like most teens/young adults on a first date, nowadays: Once they reunited, their hormones took over, resulting in their first ever sexual experience! (Of course, Disney left this 'first date' at Simba understanding that Nala wanted to play grown-up games. But I'll wager that they -- the couple, of course -- had fun, all the same!! )

I'm not really a massive TLK fan, but I couldnt help but notice that at the end of 1 1/2 scar and the hyenas fall into the hole the meerkats dug when the big battle with simba was over and done with where as in the propper movie you got the whole "I thought you said we were the enemy" scene where the hyenas confront scar over his blag to simba.Sort of just made me go "what? I'm sure they didnt check for those issues before they released it!"

its quite possible that after Shenzi threatened them, they didnt went after them right away. i think its possible that after Timon and Pumbaa runned away, the hyenas turned to look at Scar and simba, maybe they intended to help their king first, then go after timon and Pumba, then after where Scar puts the blame. we see them leaving in anger, i think that after that. they went after Timon and Pumbaa and you know the rest.

Original movie crew members (directors) Irene Mecchi and Roger Allers were involved in writing additional material, as has been reported previously. However, the hornbill Zazu's name has been misspelled, in the end credits to TLK3. His name is spelled 'Zasu'!

How the hell did that gaffe make it past anyone's scrutiny, just before the movie was released on DVD?